This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The Canadiens and Golden Knights are both short home favorites in today's two NHL games with the featured Yahoo contests beginning at 6 p.m. EDT. There are two notable storylines for each game with Winnipeg losing consecutive games on home ice and being shutout in Game 2 with No. 1 center Mark Scheifele suspended, and Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar calling out his best players after Colorado's Game 3 loss. Here are picks and pans for each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. WPG ($28): It's unlikely Price cruises through the rest of the postseason without any hiccups, but he's currently rolling along a five-game winning streak with a .947 save percentage and 1.71 GAA. Winnipeg also only generated seven high-danger scoring chances in Game 2, and Price represents the least expensive of today's four starting goalies.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. COL ($32): While there's potential for both a bounce-back showing from Fleury and for Vegas to keep Colorado's best players in check again in Game 4, it might be asking a lot. The veteran netminder sports an subpar .873 save percentage through his past five starts while the Avalanche have produced the most goals per 60 minutes this postseason.
CENTER
Nathan MacKinnon, COL at VGK ($35): Considering the lack of high-end talent in the center pool, it could be tough to fade MacKinnon. While he didn't have a strong Game 3, No. 29 still registered four shots on five attempts. He also has 67 points - including 28 goals - through 47 career playoff appearances.
CENTER TO AVOID
Chandler Stephenson, VGK vs. COL ($19): The 27-year-old center has only found the scoresheet once and registered just eight shots through his past six games. As a result, this salary is probably a little steep given Stephenson's current form. Colorado has also held the Golden Knights to six goals through the first three games of the series.
WING
Max Pacioretty, VGK vs. COL ($34): There's all kinds of room for negative regression from Pacioretty's Game 3 showing, and he'd still post solid fantasy numbers considering he finished with a goal on eight shots, 14 attempts and five individual high-danger scoring chances.
Cole Caufield, MON vs. WPG ($12): With five shots and six attempts in Game 2, Caufield produced one of his better playoff showings. If the rookie is able to generate the same opportunities Sunday, a scoresheet appearance is likely. Caufield has already showcased a high-end shooting arsenal, and this salary is easy to fit into lineups.
WINGS TO AVOID
Blake Wheeler, WPG at MON ($20): The Winnipeg captain has been solid with nine shots, 12 attempts and two individual high-danger scoring chances through the first two games of the series, but he's also posted a minus-2 and failed to mark the scoresheet. As noted, Montreal starter Carey Price ($28) is also in high-end form.
Brandon Saad, COL at VGK ($17): Look for another underwhelming showing from Saad after he went minus-1 with only a single shot on goal in Game 3. The winger had scored in each of his previous five outings and currently rides an unsustainably high 35.7 shooting percentage during the postseason.
DEFENSE
Shea Weber, MON vs. WPG ($15): The veteran has posted solid fantasy showings in four consecutive games with two assists, 14 shots, eight blocks and a plus-3 rating. He's also receiving consistent power-play time, so there are multiple avenues for him to return value on his discounted salary.
Logan Stanley, WPG at MON ($14): While playing limited minutes, Stanley has been able to contribute through the peripheral categories with 10 shots and 18 blocks through six playoff contests. The fantasy ceiling is likely low, but so is the salary.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Alec Martinez, VGK vs. COL ($20): While the proven playoff performer has recorded double-digit fantasy points in consecutive games, he'll likely spend most of his five-on-five minutes matched up against the Avs' No. 1 line. As noted, Colorado's best players are likely to be motivated for Game 4, and Nathan MacKinnon ($35), Gabriel Landeskog ($30) and Mikko Rantanen ($34) posted an elite 66.2 Corsi For percentage during the regular season.
Ryan Graves, COL at VGK ($19): This is a high salary for Graves. He's flashed some offensive potential during the postseason, including a three-point showing in Round 1 against St. Louis. However, he's only averaged 17:37 of ice time through the past four and finished Game 3 with a minus-2.
